Block-signal system.



1.]. RUDDICK.

' BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLICATION'HLED MAR. 19. 1913.

I 1,278,509. PatentedSept. 10,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1.1. RUDDICK'.

BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19. 1913.

Patented Sept 10,1918

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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JOHN J. RUDDICK, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0. UNITED STATES. ELECTRIC SIGNAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

BLOCK-SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 1Q, 1918.

Application filed March 19, 1913. Serial No. 755,322.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN J. RUDDIOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newton, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Block-Signal Systems, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characterson the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to block signal systems such as are adapted for use on either steam or electric railways for controlling the movements of trains or cars, and especially to block signal systems which are provided with counting-in-and-out devices so that a plurality of cars may follow each other into the block in the same direction without disturbing the signals.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an electrically-operated block signal system which is especially adapted for use in connection with semaphores, and which is so arranged that under normal conditions the semaphores at each end of the block are in vertical or safety position, but whenever a car enters the block at one end. the semaphore at the opposite end of the block will be dropped into horizontal or danger position, while the semaphore at the entering end of the block will be dropped into a or caution position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal system of this type which is so constructed that whenever a second car enters the block following the first car, said second car will cause the semaphore at the entering end of the block to have a momentary movement from its 45 to its vertical position and back again which will indicate to the motorman of said second car that the counting-in-and-out device has operated properly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal system of this type wherein if a second car follows a first car into the block and thus operates the counting-inand-out device at the entering end of the block, and then said second car backs out of the entering end of the block, the counting-in-and-out device as said entering end of the block will be restored to the position it was left in by the first named car without, however, disturbing in any way the signals which have been set.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal system of this type wherein if a car runs by a stop or danger signal set against it and enters the block and then backs out of the block, said car will operate the counting-in-and-out device to cancel the registration made when it passed the signal and entered the block without, however, disturbing any of the signals that have been previously set.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a block signal system capable of accomplishing these various results but having only two wires extending the length of the block.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a novel interlocking connection between the various relays of the system '2 show a complete system embodying my in vention, Fig. 1 showing the construction at one end of a block, and Fig. 2 that at the opposite end. It will be observed that Figs. 1 and 2 thus form in effect a continuation of each other and illustrate one complete block;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view I of the counting-in-and-out device.

I have shown my invention herein as it would beapplied to an electric railway, in vhich case the current for operating the signals is taken from the trolley wire or feed conductor which is designated generally by l. The track on which the car is run is shown at 2, and this constitutes the return or ground for the Various @ircuits.

My signal system comprises a normallyclosed local semaphore circuit at each end of the block which directly controls the semaphores, a signal-actuating circuit which extends the length of the block and has therein relays for controlling the local semaphore circuits at both ends of the block, local setting and restoring circuits at each end of the block for controlling the signal-actuating circuit. a controlling circuit which also extends the length of the block and which cooperates with the other circuits in the accomplishment of the above objects, and track relay circuits at each end and at the other end of the block to its ground connection so that said signal-actuating circuit is normally closed. Said signal-actuating circuit has therein at each end of the block a local relay which controls the corresponding local semaphore circuit, said semaphore circuits being normally closed. The. current flowing in these local semaphore circuits holds the two semaphores, one at each end of the block, in their safety position. The setting of the signal involves the breaking of the signal-actuating circuit and the consequent deenergizing of the local relays therein with the resultant opening of the 10- cal semaphore circuits. The. opening and closing of the signal-actuating circuit is controlled by a counting-in-and-out device which is operated by the setting and restoring circuits of the track relay whenever a car enters or leaves the block.

Before entering into a detailed description of the signaling device and its operation, I will first trace out generally the principal circuits, as above outlined.

The track relays, one at each end of the block, are designated generally by 3 and 4t, respectively, and they are both alike and have substantially the construction illustrated in my patent No. 1,069,027, dated July 29, 1913. Since these track relays do not form part of the present invention, it will not be necessary to describe them in detail, but it will be sufficient to say that each track relay comprises a setting magnet and a restoring magnet 5 and 6, respectlvely, both of which are differenother circuits presently to be described. Each track relay feed connection 9 is shown as having therein a lamp 10 to illuminate the spectacle of the semaphore 24, there being one such semaphore at each end of the block.

with the insulated rail sections, but whenever a car passes onto either insulated section, then the current will flow through the corresponding shunt connection to the ground, thus short-circuiting one of the differential windings of the corresponding relay magnet whereby said magnet is rendered operative. For a more complete description of the operation of the track relay reference may be had to said above-mentioned patent.

The magnets 5 and 6 ofeach track relay control setting and restoring circuits which are normally open, but which are closed whenever the relays are operated by a car passing onto either one of the insulated track sections. The setting circuit for each relay is designated 14 and it connects at one end with the trolley wire at 15 through a feed connection 140 and leads to contacts 10 controlled by the track relay setting magnet 5, thence to a setting magnet 17 which operates the counting-in-and-out device. designated generally by 18, and thence to the ground through the main ground connection 19. The restoring circuit for each track relay is designated 20 and it takes, current from the feed connection 140 and leads to the contacts 21 controlled by the track relay restoring magnet 6, and thenceto the restoring relay 22 and to the main ground connection 19. Both of the setting and restoring circuits are normally open, and one or the other is closed by its'magnet when ever a car passes over the insulated rail sections 90 and 10, that depending on the direc tion in which the car moves, as will be obvious, and all as fully set forth in my said Patent No. 1,069,027

The local semaphore circuit at each end of the. block is designated 23 and in order to distinguish it readily, I have shown it in heavy dot and dash lines. It directly controls the semaphore 24E. These semaphores are shown as pivoted at 25, and each has connected thereto the core 26 of a semaphore-operating magnet 27 which is arranged so that so long as the magnet is energized the semaphore is held in vertical position. Whenever the magnet 27 is deenergized, however, the semaphore will fall by gravity. The local semaphore circuit 23 connects with the main feed connection 12 and leads to the semaphore-controlling magnet 27 and thenceto contacts 30 of a local relay 81 which is in the signal-actuating circuit, and thence to the main ground con nection 19.

The signal-actuating circuit which extends the length of the block has a ground and a feed connection at each end of the block, as stated above. This signal-actuating circuit is designated 32 and it is shown in heavy solid lines. It includes contacts 33 controlled by the restoring relay 22 at each end of the block and leads to the terminal 55 of each counting-in-and-out device 18.

The feed connection for the signalactuating circuit at each end of the block is designated 34 and leads from the main feed connection 12 to a point 340 where it connects to a terminal connection 99 of the corresponding counting-in-and-out device. This terminal connection 99 leads to a terminal 53 of the counting-in-and-out device 18 and includes the local relay 31. The ground connection for the signal-actuating circuit at each end thereof is designated 35 and leads from the terminal 52 of the counting-in-and-out device 18 to the ground connection 19, and it includes the restoring magnet 36 that re stores the counting-in-and-out device 18 and the contacts 37 controlled by a determining relay 38. The controlling circuit which also extend the length of the block is designated by 39 and it is shown in light arrow lines. It eads from the terminal 54 of one counting-in-and-out device 18 to the terminal 54 of the other counting-in-and-out device and includes contacts 40 controlled by the restoring rela 22 and the determining relay 38. V The feed connection at each'end of the block for the controlling circuit is desig nated 41 and leads from the main feed connection 12 to the terminal 57 of the counting-in-and-out device-and includes the magnet of the alternating relay 43, to be presently described. The ground connection for the controlling circuit at each end of the block is designated 44 and leads from the terminal 56 of the counting-in-and-out device 18 to the ground connection 35 of the signalactuating circuit and includes the magnet 40 of the alternating relay.

The counting-in-and-out device may have any suitable construction adapted to perform the required functions. That herein shown comprises two cylinders .7, 48, each having a ratchet wheel 49 associated therewith which is adapted to be actuated by a pawl, said pawls being designated 50 and 51, respectively. The pawl 50 is actuated by the setting magnet 17 and the pawl 51 is actuated by the restoring magnet 36. The cylinder 47 is provided with an annular contact strip or terminal 52 with which the ground connection 35 of the signaling circu.t is connected. an annular contact strip. or term inal with which the terminal con-' and adapted, when the parts are in normal position, to bear against a narrow contact 59 on the cylinder 48 which is electrically connected to the contact strip 57 by the wire 60. Since the contact finger 58 is electrically connected with the contact strip 5-1, it

follows that when the parts are in normal position, as shown, said finger 58, contact 59 and connection 60 constitute an electrical connection between the controlling circuit 39 and its teed connection 41. The cylinder 48 carries a finger 61 which is electrically connected by a wire (32 with the contact strip 55, and when the parts are in normal position said finger has engagement with the contact 63 which is connected with the terminal strip to which the terminal connection 99 of the signal-actuating circuit 32 is connected. Thus under normal conditions the terminal 55, wire 62, contacts (31, 63, terminal 53 and terminal connection 99 furnish the means for electrically connecting the signalactuating circuit 32 with its feed connection 34 through terminal 99. The cylinder 47 is also provided with an elongated contact 64 adapted to be engaged by the finger 61 when the two cylinders are turned relative to each other, the contact 64 being connected electrically with the terminal 52 from which leads the ground connection of the signal-actuating circuit. The cylinder 48 is also provided with an elongated contact 65 adapted to be engaged by the finger 58 when the t v0 cylinders are turned relative to each other, said contact 65 being electrically connected with the terminal 56 to which is connected the ground connection 44 for the controlling circuit.

It will thus be seen that under normal conditions the counting-in-and-out device 18 at each end of the block furnishes anelectrical connection between the signal-actuating circuit 32 and its terminal connection 99, and between the controlling circuit 39 and its feed connection 41. I

The terminal connection 99 will be connected either to the feed connection 34 for the signal-actuating circuit, or to the ground, that depending on the position of the alternating relay 43.

Each alternating relay comprises the pivoted switch arm 100 which is moved in one direction or the other by the magnets 46 and 42, and which carries a contact 101 adapted to bridge either the contacts 102 in the feed connection 34 of the signal-actuating circuit 32, or the contacts 103 in a ground connection 104 that is shown as leading to the main ground connection"19, that depending on the position which said switch arm occupies. The purpose of these alternating relays is to make the signal system operable from either end of the block by a car going in either direction, all as will be more fully hereinafter described.

Under normal conditions when the block is clear, thealternating relay at one end of the block closes contacts 102 of the feed connection 34 and that at the other end of the, block closes the contacts 103 in the ground connection 104. It will thus be seen that under such normal conditions the terminal connection 99 of the signal-actuating circuit32 at one end of the block is connected with the feed connection 34 through the alternating relay, and at the other end of the block the terminal connection 99 is connected with the ground connection .104 through the other alternating relay, so that the signal-actuating circuit is energized and the complete current path therethrough is as follows: Main feed connection 12 in Fig. 1; feed connection 34 including contacts 102 of the alternating relay 43; terminal connection 99 including local relay 31; terminal 53, contacts 63, 61 and terminal 55 of the counting-inand-out device; signal-actuating circuit 32 to the signal boX at the opposite end of the block and including contacts 33 of the restoring relays at both ends of the block; terminals 55, wire 62, contacts 61, G3, terminal .53, and terminal connection 99 of the other counting-in-and-out device; and ground connections 104 including its contacts 103 which are closed by the alternating relay) and 19. Current will thus flow through said signalactuating circuit and through the local 1'9? lays 31 at both ends of the block thereby maintaining them energized and their armatures bridging the contacts 30 in the local semaphore circuits.

The controlling circuit, undernormal conditions, is connected with the feed at both ends of the block and is, therefore, inactive. Its connections are as follows: Main feed connection 12, feed connection 41;

terminal 57, wire 60, contacts 59, 58 and terminal 54 of one counting-in-and-out device 18; controlling circuit .39 to the other counting-in-and-out device; terminal 7. 54, contacts 58, 59, wire 60 and terminal 57 of said other counting-in-and-out device; feed connection 41; and main feed connection 12. c

The local semaphore circuit 23 at each end of the block is normally maintained closed by the energized local relay 31 and the current path therethrough. is as follows: Main feed connection 12; wire 23 including semaphore-operating magnet 27, and contacts 30 that are closed by the armature of the local relay; and ground connection 19.

It will thus be seen that under normal conditions when. the block is clear, the closed signal-actuating circuit maintains the local relavs 31 energized and thus maintains the local semaphore circuits 23 closed at contacts 30 at both ends of the block whereby both magnets 27 are energized so that both semaphores will be held in vertical or safety position.

The operation of setting the signals consists in opening the signal-actuating circuit, 32 thereby deenergizing the local re lays 31 at both ends of the block and opening both local-semaphore circuits at the con- 7 tacts 30 with the result that both semaphoreactuating magnets 27 become deenergized, thus permitting the semaphores to fall by gravity.

In order to give a better understanding of the invention I will describe how the system operates first, when a car enters the block at one end, and, second, when a car leaves the block at the opposite end, third, when a car enters the block at one end and then backs out at said end, fourth when a second car enters the block following a first car, and, fifth, when a car runs by a stop signal set against it and enters the block and then backsout.

It will be remembered that under normal conditions the signal-actuating circuit 32 is connected to the feed at one end of the block and is connected to the ground at the opposite end while the controlling circuit 39 is connected to the feed at both ends. It will also be understood that since the signalactuating circuit is normally closed the magnets of the local relays 31 therein are energized with the result that the armatures thereof hold the local semaphore circuits 23 closed at the contacts 30, and, therefore, that the semaphore-controlling magnets-27 at both ends of the block are energized, thus holding the semaphores 24 in their vertical or safety position.

lVhen a car enters a clear block the following operations take place:

Assuming that the car is traveling from left to right, then when said car enters the left hand end of the block and passes onto the insulated rail section 90, the track relay 3 is actuated to close the setting circuit 14 at the contacts 16. This setting circuit, which may be traced as follows in Fig. 1: feed connection 140, wire 14, contacts 16, setting magnet 17, and ground connection 19, thus includes the setting magnet 17, and as soon as said circuit is closed the magnet 17 e is energized thereby operating through the pawl 50 and ratchet 49 to advance the cylinder 47 one step. The turning of the cylinder 47 relative to the cylinder 48 carries the contact fingers 58 and 61 onto the elongated contacts 65 and 64, respectively, thus conlays 31 at both ends of the block become deenergized, so that their armatures drop away from the contacts 30 in the local semaphore circuits 23 and into engagement with the contacts 68 in the ground connections 35. Said signal-actuating circuit isnow connected at both ends with the ground. As soon as the relays 31 are deenergized, both local semaphore circuits 23 are opened, and the semaphore-actuating magnets 27 therein be come deenergized, thus permitting the semaphores 2 lat both ends of the block to fall by gravity. At the exit end of the block the semaphore falls to horizontal position, but at the entering end of the block it only falls to a 45 position, as seen in dotted lines Fig.

1, it being held in such position by a stop member 69 that is normally inactive but is thrown at this time into position to engage the semaphore and hold it at its 45 position. This step 69 is in the nature of a pivoted arm which is controlled by a magnet 70 and there is such a stop 69 for each semaphore, but means are provided whereby only the stop at that end of the block at which the car enters will be rendered operative, as will be presently described. j

The stepping forward of the cylinder 47 of the counting-in-and-out device operates to connect the controlling circuit 39 (which it will be remembered is normally connected at both endsto the feed) to its ground connection 1 1 whereby said circuit will be en'- ergized and current will flow therein from the exit end of the block back to the ground atthe entrance end of the block through the following current path: main feed connection 12 in 2, feed connection 41 including magnet 42 ofthc alternating relay; terminal 57, wire 60,'contacts 59, 58, and terminal 5-l-of the counting-in-and-out device; controlling circuit 39 to the counting-inandout device at the opposite end of the block terminal 5%, contacts 58, 65, (it'being're member-ed that the cylinder 4:7 of thislastnamed counting-in-and-out device has been advanced one step to bring the contact 58 onto the contact 65) and terminal 56 of said counting-in-and-out device; ground connection. 427i" which includes the magnet 46 of the alternating relay and ground connection 35 to the main ground connection 19. The ground connection includes the magnet 70 for the stop 69, and, therefore, when the controlling circuit is thus energized the magnet 70 is operatedto bring the stop 69 at theentering end ofthe block into the dotted line position, in which position it holds the semaphore in the 45 or permissive position. it will be noted that the magnet 70 is in the ground connection 35, and, therefore, will be operated only when said ground connection is energized. It will further be noted that it IS alwaysthe ground.

connection of the controlling circuit at that end of the block at which the car enters whlch is energized, so that the semaphore at the entering end of the block only will be stopped in its 45 position.

I further call attention to the fact that when a car. has entered the block as above described and the controlling circuitis energized the current. in saidcontrolling circuit will flow through the magnet 42 of the alternating relay at the further end of the block and through the magnet 46 of the ale ternating relay at the entering end of the block, and said' controlling circuit, therefore, constitutes means for holding the alternating relays in the positionshown in the drawings and which is necessary for the proper operation of the system.

The controlling circuit has therein'the determining relays 38 and when the controlling circuit is energized these relays become energized and their armatures are lifted thereby opening the ground connections 35 at the contacts 37 and closing the pairs of contacts 71 and 7 2.

. So long as a car which has thus entered the block remains in the block the above conditions are maintained. 1

When the car passes out of the block at the exit end the signals will be re-set to safety position by the following sequence of operations V V When the car passes onto the insulated rail section 10 in Fig. 2 the shunt circuit 8 is completed, vthus energizing the trackrclay-restoring magnet 6 with the result that the restoring circuit 20 will be closed at'the contacts 21. The current path through therestoring circuit when thusclosed may be traced as follows: feed connection 140, wire 20 including contacts 21 and restoring relay 22 to the ground connection 19. The restoring relay 22 at the exit end of the block thus becomes energized and its armature is lifted thereby opening both the signal-actuating circuit and the controlling circuit at the contacts 33 and 40 and closing the pairs of contacts 82 and 83. The closing of the contacts 82 will form a connection between the signal-actuating circuit 32 at the end of the block and the feed through the followin current path: main feed connection 12, trac relay feed connection 9 to contacts 82, thence through wire 74 to contacts. 71 which are closed by the armature of the determining relay 38, thence through wires 75, 76,-to contacts 77 which are closed by the alternating relay 43, thence through wire 7 8 to the signal-actuating circuit 32, thence to the switch box at the entering end of the block and to the terminal 55 at the counting-inand-out device on the entering end of the block (it being remembered that the contacts 33 are closed at this time), thence through wire 62, contacts 61, 64 and terminal 52 of said counting-in-and-out device,

thence through ground connection 35 including contacts 68 and 37 which are closed, and also including the restoring magnet 36 to the ground connection19. The restoring magnet .36cat the entering end of the block thus becomes energized thereby to advance the cylinder 18 one step, thus bring ng said cylinder back into its normal positlon relative to the cylinder 47 and restoring the signal-actuating and controlling circults to the normal conditions which they occupied before the car entered the block. It will thus be seenthat the counting-in-and-out device which was stepped forward one step at the entering end of the block when the car entered said, block will be restored to 1ts normal position by a car leaving'the block and by means of current which is sent through the signal-actuating circuit 32. r c

. While I have described above the operation of my system when a car enters the block from the left-hand end and passes through the block traveling from left to right, I would state that the same sequence of operations will transpire if a car enters a block from the right hand end and travels through it from right to left. 7

7 When a car enters the block from either end and sets the signals, as abovedescribed, and then backs out of the entering end the signals will be restored to their normal position as follows: 3 1 i It will be remembered that when the car has entered the block the signal-actuating circuit 32 has been deenergized and the local relays 31 both deenergized, so that the armatures close the contacts68. It will also be remembered that the controllingcircuit lays 38 are energized so that their armatures close'the contacts 71 and 72. Assuming that.

the car has entered the block from the left* hand end, then when said car backs off from the block at its entering end and passes onto the insulated rail section 10. the shunt circuit 8is closed, thus energizing the trackrelay-restoring magnet 6 in Fig. 1 and closing the contacts 21 in the restoring circuit 20. This restoring circuit includes the re storing magnet 22 and may be traced as-follows :c

Feed connection 140, wire 20 including contacts 21 and restoring relay 22 and main ground connection 19. The restoring relay 22 thus becomes energized and its armature is lifted, thus opening the contacts 33 and 10 in the signal-actuating circuit 32 and controllingcircuit 39, and closing the contacts 82 and 83. The opening of the controlling circuit deenergizes the determining relays 38 therein so that their arm'atures tend to fall, but in order to carry out the desired operation it is necessarythat the armature of the, deter1nining relay at that end of the sion154 on the armature of the determining relay 38 when said locking member is moved by the inclined extension 152. Under the conditions above described which arise when a car backs off from the block, the energizing of the restoring relay 22 causes its armature to be elevated, and during the upward movement of the armature the inclined, end

152 thereof acts on the locking member 151 and throws the finger beneath the extension on the armature of the determining relay, thereby locking said armature in its elevated position. Hence when the controlling circuit 39, through which the vdetermining relay is energized, is opened at the contact's 10, the armature of said determining relay is still held against the contacts 71. There will, therefore, be established a current path from the main feed connection 1.2 as fol lows: v r

' Mainfeed connection 12,'wire 9, contacts 82, wire 74' to contacts 71, which, it will be remembered, are held closed by the armature of the determining relay 38 which islocked by the locking member 151, wire 75, 83 to contacts85 which are closed by the alternating relay, wire 86 to the signal-actuating circuit 32. to the terminal 55 of the counting-inand-out device; wire 62, contacts 61, 64, and terminal 52 of said counting-in-and-out device; ground connection 35 including con tacts 68 which are now closed by the de'e'nergized local relay 31, wire 87, including the contacts 83 which are now closed by the energized restoring relay 22; ground connection 35 and restoring magnet 36 t0 the main ground connection 19. The restoring net 36 thus becomes energized and the pawl 51 is givenuan impulse to turn the cylinder 41-8 thereby to bring it back into its normal position relative to the cylinder 47. The signal-actuating circuit 32 and its connec tions, and the controlling circuit 39 and its connections, are thus restored to'their normal condition and the signal-actuating circuit will be closed, thus energizingthe local relays 31 and the armatures of the latter will be lifted to close the contacts 30 in the local semaphore circuit-s, thus causing the semaphore magnets 27 to be energized whereby the signals are brought into their vertical or safety position.

I will preferably construct each restoring pawl 51 sothat the energizing of the-restor ing magnet will merely cause it to clickover the ratchet wheel 49, and so that when the magnet is deenergized the pawl will be ac tuatedby a spring 154 thereby to turn the ratchet. With such a construction the cylinder 4-8 is not actually restored to its normal position until after the car has passed completely ofi from the insulated rail sectlOIl l0. 1

When a succession of cars pass into the block one behind the other all going inv the -same direction, each car as it passes over the insulated rail'section 90 will actuate the trackrelay and thus give the setting magnet 17 an impulse to step the cylinder 47 forward one step. Such forward movements of said cylinder, however, do not affect the ground connection between the controlling and signahactuating circuits because the contacts58 and 61 are on the elongated con- 20 tacts G5 and 64.

Each time'that thev cylinder 47 is moved forward one step the semaphore 24 at the entering end of the block is given a momenta'ry movement into its verticalposition and 25 back to its 45? position again, thus indicating to the motorman that the counting-inand-out device has actuated properly. The means for accomplishing this is as follows:

a series of teeth 87 adapted to engage the end of a lever 88 pivoted at. 89. Said lever carries at its upper end a contact 91 adapted to close normally open contacts 92 in the ground connection '93 leading from the semaphore circuit 23, and including contacts 9 1 of the alternating relay. Whenever the cylinder 47 is advanced one step one. of the teeth 87 thereof will by its engagement with the lower end of the lever 88 swing said .le- 40 ver to momentarily close the contacts 92, thus closing the return connection 93 so that current will flow from feed connection 12 through circuit 23 and the magnet 27 and bring the signal back to its vertical'position. Situated beneath the magnet 27 is a locking member 95 pivoted at 96 and adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the core 26 when the semaphore is in its vertical position. This locking member normally rests on the lever 88 and is provided with a locking shoulder 97 which engages behind the lever 88 when the latter is swung forwardly to close'the contacts 92, thus locking the lever in such position and holding the ground connection 93 closed. Whenever the signal is returned to its vertical position, however, the core 26 will engage the locking member 95 and release it from its locking engagement with the lever 88, thus permitting the lever to be returned to its normal position by a spring 98.

Each time that a-car follows another car into the block the last-above described operations are repeated and the semaphore 24: at the entering end of the block is given its The cylinder 47 has associated therewith 'tion 19.

momentary impulse, thus indicating that the coimtiirgdn-and-out device has worked properly.

If a car runs by a signal which has been setagainst it, as, for instance, if a car enters the block from the left hand end and sets the signal to danger? at the right end of the block, and then another car coming from the right runs by said danger signal and enters the block, said second car will actuate the counting-in-and-out device at said end of the block through the track relay circuits, as above described. My invention provides means whereby said car which has overrun its signal may back out of theblock, and in doing so will restore the counting-in-and-out device at the right hand end of the block to the-position which it previously occupied without however, disturbing any of the signals which were previously set, so that the signals can be restored by the car which set the signals when saidcar passes out from the block. When the car over-runs the signal it causes the cylinder 4L7 to be advanced one step, as above described, and when this occurs the controlling circuit 39 is opened at the counting-in-and-out device. The determining relay 38 thus becomes deenergized and its armature falls, closing the contacts 37in the ground connection 35. When the car backs off the block and passes onto the insulated rail section 10 the track relay restoring magnet 6 will be energized,thus closing the restoring circuit 20 at the contacts 21 and a current path will be established as follows:

Feed connection 140, restoring circuit 20, restoring magnet 22 to the ground connec- The restoring magnet 22 is then energized causing its armature to be raised thereby closing contacts 82, 83 and a circuit will then be established from the feed con nection 12, through wire 9, contacts 82, wire 74, contacts 100, contact 37 (it being remembered thatthe determining relay 38 is deenergized because the controlling circuit 39 is open) ground connection 35 to the main ground connection 19. Since the restoring magnet 36 is in this ground connection it will be energized thereby turning the cylinder 48 one step and bringing it into the position relative to the cylinder 4-7 which it occupied before the car ran past the signal. It will thus be observed that the current path for the current which is used in canceling the registration made when a car over-runs the signal is located entirely, at the end of the block where the over-run signal is situated and no current is used from the other end'of the block. which would restore the signal to .open block condition.

I have shown the controlling circuit as provided with two contacts 125 which are normally closed by a contact 126 carried by the restoring pawl 51, said contacts being arranged so that when the restoring magnet 36 is energized to lift the pawl the controlling circuit 39 is opened at the contacts 125. I have also shown the terminal connection 99 as provided with two similar contacts 127 which are normally closed by the contact 128 carried by the setting pawl 50 so that when said setting pawl is energized the that after a car had over-run its signal bothv said car and'the one which had previously entered the block and thereby set the signal which was over-run would back out therefrom, and if under these conditions the car I which set the signals backed out of the block before the other car which ran by the said signals, then it is desirable to providemeans whereby the signals will not be restored by the first car backing out and whereby the second car backing out will properly restore the signals. Under these conditions the car which backs out first would restore its cou1iting-in-and-out device to normal position and immediately the alternating relayswould reverse so'as to produce the same condition as would have existed if the over-running car had just entered an unoccupied block. Then when said overrunning car backed out of the block the signals would be restored to normal.

In case both cars should start backing outv of the block but the first car should clear the block while the overrunning car was still on the insulated rail section .10, then the signal indications would become disarranged. To avoid this I have provided a mechanism which under these conditions will prevent the ground connection 35 from being closed at the contacts 68 when the local relay 31 is deiinergized. The mechanism for this purpose consists of a pivoted lever 131 carrying a bell crank lever 132 which is pivoted to one end thereof. This lever 131 is interposed between the armature of the restoring relay 22 and the armature of the local relay 31 and is so arranged that when the restoring relay armature 22 drops it rocks the lever 131 thereby bringing the elbow lever 132 against the extension 133 of the local relay armature and lifting said armature off from the contact 68, thus maintaining the ground connection 35 open.

It is essential to do this in order to prevent the restoring magnet 36 from being continuously magnetized and thus holding its pawl 51 elevated so as to prevent the restoring operation, for it will be readily seen that when the first car backs, out of the block This, however, cannot happen if the ground connection 35 is open at the contact 68, as

will be the case when the restoring relay 22is deenergized.

If the power fails, then the current in the signal-actuating circuit will fail and both ofthe local relays 31 will become deener gized, thus opening the local semaphore circuits and allowing the semaphores to fall to danger at'both ends of the block. As soon as the power is turnedon again the signalactuating circuit will become active, thus energizing the local relays 31 and closing the local semaphore circuits. The signals are then brought to the safety position.

If the wires of thesignal-actuating circuit 32 and of thecontrolling circuit 39 become crossed, then current will flow from the feed end of the signal-actuating circuit to the point where the wires are crossed and thence to the ground through both ends of the con trolling circuit 39. The determining relays 38Iwill, therefore, both become energized, thus raising their armatures and closing the contacts 71, 72. Each pair of contacts 72 is in a shunt circuit connecting with the terminal connection 99 and shunting the local relay 31. Therefore, when the shunt circuits 110 are thus closed the local relays are short-circuited and become de'elnergized, thus opening the local semaphore circuits at both ends of the block. The semaphores will thus both drop to danger. When the cross is taken ofi from the circuits the proper conditions will be automatically restored.

I have above referred to the condition which would exist when a car over-runs its signal and enters a block already occupied by another car and then both cars backout of the block, the car which is legitimately in the block clearing the block first. When the overrunning car enters the block and operates the counting-in-and-oUt device at its end of the block, the lever 88 will be actuated to close the contacts 92-, and said lever will be locked in this position by the locking latch 95. This is so because when the first car entered the block the signal at the overrunning end dropped into itshorizontal position and thus left the locking latch 95 ready to lock the lever 88 as soon as said lever was actuated.

In order to prevent the signals from becoming disarranged when the overrunning car backs out of the block, it is necessaryto provide means for releasing the locking latch 95 at the overrunning end of the block, and I have hereinprovided for this by mak ing -said locking member with an. extension 116'having a 1atch'117 pivoted to its end,

which latch is in the path of movement of the end of, the armature for the determining relay 38. In order to clearly illustrate the circuits they are, shown diagrammatically in the drawings, and the determining relay is shown as separated from the locking latch 95, but in practice these parts are so related to each other that the end of the determining relay armature will engage the latch 117 as said armature rises and falls. This latch 117 permits the armature to rise freely, but when the armature drops it engages the latch and the weight of the armature is suflicient to overbalance the locking latch 95 and raise it. Therefore, when the overrun occurs and the determining rela is deenergized, it operates to prevent the locking latch 95 from engaging the lever 88.

I haveherein shown at 118 a locking magnet which is in the feed connection 34 for the signal-actuating circuit and the armature 113 of which hasa locking extension, 114k which when the magnet is energized engages a magnet 115 associated with the swinging switch member 101. 'The purpose of this locking'magnet is to lock the alternating relay in the position shown in Fig. 1 whenever acar enters the block from-.theleft-hand end so as to preventa car coming into the block from'the opposite end from reversing the relayand thus deranging the signal indication. r i r While I have shown herein one embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the constructional features shown. Having fully described my invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by: Letters Patent is 1. 'In a block signal system, the combination with a signal-actuating circuit extending the length of the bl'o'ck and provided at each end with a feed connectionand a ground connection, of means normally con-. necting 'saidci-rcuit at one end to the feed connectionand at the other end to the ground connection whereby when no'car is in theblock said circuit isclosed and ourrent will-flow therein, a normally-closed local semaphore circuit at each end of the block which is separate from the signalac'tuating circuit, means rendered operative tering' the'block when the latter is'unoccupied to connect both ends of said signalactuatmg c1rcu1t to the ground and tomamtam such connectlon as succeedlng cars pass *into the: block and until all the cars have P d- 01 1; theblc k. r

2. In a block signal system, the combination with a signal-actuating circuit extending thelength of the block and provided at each end with a feed connection and a ground connection, .of means normally connecting said circuit at one end to the feed connection and at the other end to the ground connection whereby when no'car' is in the block said circuit is closed and current will flow therein, a normally closed local semaphore circuit at each end'of the block which is separate from the signalactuating circuit, means rendered operative by the current in the signahactuating circuit when the latter is closed to maintain both said semaphore circuits closed, a signal for each local semaphore circuit, means to hold each signal in safety position as long as its semaphore circuit is closed and to set said signal when said circuit is opened, and means rendered operative by a car entering the block from either direction when the latter is unoccupied to connect both ends of said signal-actuating circuit to the ground and to maintain such connection as succeeding cars pass into the block and until all the cars have passed out of the block.

3. Ina block signal system, the combination with a signal actuating circuit extending the-length of the block and provided at each end with a feed connection and a ground connection, a controlling circuit also extending the length of the block and provided at each end with a feed connection and a ground connection, means normally connecting the signal actuating circuit at one end of the block to its feed connection and at the other end to its ground connection and for connecting said controlling circuit at both ends of the block to its feed connection, a normally-closed local semaphore circuitat each end of the block, means operated by the current in the signal-actuating circuit when the latter'is closed to maintain'said local semaphore circuits closed,

means operated by a car entering the block to-connect one end of the controlling circuit toithe ground and todenergize the signalactuating circuit thereby deenergizing the local semaphore circuits and causing the semaphores to be displayed and means operated by current in said controlling circuit to open the signal-actuatingcircuit.

l. In a block signal system, the combination with a signal-actuating circuit extending the length of the block and provlded at each end with a feed connection and a ground connection, means normally connecting said circuit at one end to its feed connection and at the other end to its ground connection, a normally-closed local sema- 1 phore circuit'at each end of the block, means rendered operative by the current n the signal-actuating circuit when the latter 1s closed to maintai -the l cal semaphore c1ro is open, means to open the signal-actuating circuit'when a car enters the block thereby to set the signal, means to restore the signal whenacar leaves the block, and means to prevent a car which overruns a signal set against it from restoring the signals When it backs out of the block.

5. In a block signalsystem, the combination with a normally-active signal-actuating circuit extending the length of the block, of aV-normallydnactive controlling circuit extending the length of the block, a signal at each end of the block, means to open the signal-actuating circuit and close the controlling circuit by a car entering the block, means to'set the signals by opening of the signal actuating circuit, signal restoring means, and means rendered operative by the combined action ofthe current in the controlling circuit when the latter is closed and said car leaving the block to actuate said restoring means 6. In a block signal system, the combination with a'normally-active signal-actuating circuit extending the length of the block, of a normally-inactive controlling circuit ex,- tending the length of the block, a signal at each end of the block, means to openthe signal-actuating circuit and close the con-r trolling circuit by acar entering the block,

7 means to set the signals by opening of the signal actuating circuit, signal restoring means and means to actuate the latter, and to restore the signal-actuating and controlling circuits to their normal conditions by the combined action of the current in the controlling circuit and said car leaving the block.

7 In a block signal system, the combination with a normally-active signal-actuating circuit extending the length of the block, of a normally-inactive controlling circuit extending the length of the block, a signal at each'end of the block, means to open the signal-actuating circuit and close the controlling circuit by a car entering the block, means to set the signals by, opening of the signal actuating circuit, signal restoring means, means to actuate thelatter by the combined action of the current in said closed controlling circuit and said car'leaving the block, and means to prevent a disturbance of the signals by a car entering the block at the opposite end while the first-named car is still in the block. I

8. In a block signal system, the combination with a normally-active signal-actuating circuit extending the length of the block, of a. normally-inactive controlling circuit also extending the length of the block, a semaphore at each end of the block movable from a vertical to a horizontal position, a

of the'block in a midway position and I means to. cause said semaphore to give an indication when a second car follows the first-named car 1nto theblock.

9. In a block signal system, thecombination witha normally-active signal-actuating circuit extendingthe length ofthe block, of a normally-inactive controlling circuit also extending the length ofthe block, a semaphore at each'en'd of the block movable from c a vertical'to a horizontal position, alocal semaphore circuit for each semaphore, means rendered operative bycurrent in the signal-actuating circuit 'to hold the semaphore circuits normally closed, means oper-' ated by current in the semaphore circuits to hold the semaphores in verticaliposition, means to render the signal-actuating-circuit inactive and the controlling circuit active when a car enters the block, means controlled by the controlling circuit to. arrest the movement of the semaphore at theentering end of the block in a midway position, and means to cause the last-named semaphore to have 1a momentary impulse when a second car follows the first-named car into the block while the latter is occupied by said first-named car,

10. In a block signal system, the combination with a, signal-actuating circuit extending the length ofthe block and provided at each. end. with a feed connection and; a ground connection, of means normally connectingsaid circuit at one end torthe feed connection and. at the other end to the ground connection whereby when-the blockis empty current will flowthrough said circuit, alocal semaphore circuit at-each end ofthe block, each semaphore 'circuit being separate from the signal-actuating circuit, a switch for closing each local semaphore circuit, a magnet in the signal-actuating circuit which'is normally energized 'bythe current therein and when energized'holds said switch closed, a signal for ,each local, semaphore circuit, means to hold-each signal insafety position as long as its semaphore circuit is closed and to set said signal when said circuit is opened, and means to connect both .ends of the signal-actuating circuit 7 with the ground when a car enters the block and to maintain such connection as succeeding cars pass into the block and until all the cars have passed out of the block.

11. In a block signal system, the combination with a signal-actuating circuit extending the length of the block and provided at each end with a feed connection and a ground connection, of means normally connecting said circuit at one end to the feed connection and at the other end [to the ground connection whereby when the block is empty current will flow through said circuit, a local semaphorecircuit at each end of the block, each semaphore circuit being separate from the signal-actuating circuit, a' switch for closing each local semaphore circuit, a magnet in the signal-actuating circnit which is normally energized by the current therein and when energized holds said switch closed, and a signal in each local semaphore circuit which is held inoperative by the current in said last-named circuit, and means to open the signal-actuating circuit and thereby open the local semaphore circuits when a car enters the block and to maintain said signal-actuating circuit open as succeeding cars pass into the block and until all of the cars have passed out of the block.

12. In a block signal system, the combination with a signal-actuating circuit eX- ,tending the length of the block and provided at each end with a feed connection and a.

ground connection, of means normally connecting said circuit at one end to the feed connection and at the other end to the ground connection whereby when the block is empty current will flow through said circuit, a local semaphore circuit at each end Copies of this patent may be obtained for of the block, each semaphore circuit being separate from the signal-actuating circuit, a switch for closing each local semaphore circuit, a magnet in the signal-actuating circuit which is normally energized by the current therein and when energized holds said switch closed, a signal in each local semaphore circuit which is held inoperative by the current in said last-named circuit, and means to open the signal-actuating circuit and thereby open the local semaphore circuits when a car enters the block at either end and to maintain said signal-actuating circuit open as succeeding cars follow the first-named car into the block and until all of the cars have passed out of the block.

13. In a block signal system, the combination with a normally-active signal-actuating circuit extending the length of the block,

of a normally-inactive controlling circuit extending the length of the block, a signal at each end of the block which is set by opening the signal-actuating circuit and is restored by closing said circuit, means to open the signal-actuating circuit and close the controlling circuit by a car entering the block, means operated by current in the controlling circuit when closed to initiate the closing of the signal-actuating circuit, and means operated by a car leaving the block to com plete the closing of said circuit whereby the signals are restored.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN J. RUDDICK.

Witnesses:

LOUIS C. SMITH, THOMAS J. DRUMMOND.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

